Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council has in recent years been to the very forefront of a wide range of energy innovations, from internal systems including a monthly monitoring energy software, Energy Elephant to manage their ISO 50001, to public amenities and housing construction techniques. Leading the way in dual usage municipal infrastructure, dlr installed the first public lighting poles to be used for charging Electric Vehicles and the world's first solar powered phone and electric bike charging bench, the Monna, promoting sustainable transport. Exemplar housing whether new build or refurbishment built to nZEB and Passive House standards has led to dlr winning the RIAI Sustainability Award for the last 3 years.
40% of public lighting in the county has been upgraded to LED and the aim is 50% by year end. LED upgrades have taken place in the dlr Leisure Centres, Community Centres and libraries in 2018-2019. A pilot for an SEAI/Energy Supplier/Credit Union loan for home energy upgrades was first trialled with dlr staff and is now being rolled out nationwide. DLR was the first Dublin Local Authority to achieve full compliance with ISO 50001 certification.
Approximately €1.1m was spent on deep retrofit energy housing upgrades from Council housing stock over the last year to bring homes to A rating. New housing is being designed to nZEB and Passive House standards and current pilots include deep energy retrofits of different house types that can be replicated elsewhere.
In addition to todays award dlr has won the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland Sustainability Award for the last three years. Andrée Dargan, the County Architect and the Energy Performance Officer said “A World nZEB Forum 'Climate Action through nearly zero energy buildings' will take place in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown this November as the national nZEB standard comes into force. Once again dlr is at the forefront in promoting best energy efficient building practices”.
